Lanes scented with sardines, fado drifting from windows, and breathtaking viewpoints: discover Alfama with a local. Book for €1.50 and decide for yourself what it’s worth at the end.
Fun fact: Alfama survived the 1755 earthquake almost intact thanks to the rock it sits on. That’s why its streets are still a medieval maze.
Highlights
- Get (happily) lost with your guide in Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood
- Discover why fado and saudade have no direct translation
- Picture-postcard views from Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia
- Centuries of Jewish, Arab, and Christian history around every corner
- Finish at the Cathedral with stories of St. Anthony
Full description
Alfama isn’t a place you simply pass through: you discover it one corner at a time. It’s Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood, the only one the 1755 earthquake failed to erase, and your local guide will open it up like a family album: from the curious Casa dos Bicos, with its diamond-pointed façade and its connection to Nobel laureate José Saramago, to the city’s oldest fountain and the lanes of the old Jewish quarter. You’ll climb stairways where laundry flutters like flags, finally learn what saudade means and why fado sings it better than anything else, and hear stories about azulejos and the “St. Anthony’s weddings.” Your reward for the uphill climbs: views from Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia, with the Tagus sparkling at your feet. We’ll finish at the Cathedral, with legends of Lisbon’s most beloved saint. How does it work? The €1.50 you pay when booking is just a booking fee: it reserves your spot in the group, but it doesn’t go to the guide. The tour itself is tip-based: at the end, you give your guide whatever you think they’ve earned. Most people leave €15–20 per person, but here the price is set by your smile, not a price list.
Route
Duration: 2 h 40 min
- Meeting point
On foot
1Casa dos Bicos
Guided visit · 15 min
Meeting point: Casa das Bicas, now the José Saramago Foundation
On foot (3 min)
2Hotel Áurea Museum
Guided visit · 10 min
The conquest of Lisbon in 1147 and the cultures of this hillside
On foot (5 min)
3Chafariz d'El Rei
Guided visit · 10 min
Lisbon’s oldest fountain
On foot (3 min)
4Rua da Judiaria
Guided visit · 10 min
Alfama’s Jewish and Arab maze
On foot (3 min)
5Chiesa e largo di São Miguel
Guided visit · 10 min
Some of the city’s oldest houses
On foot (4 min)
6Largo di Santo Estêvão
Guided visit · 15 min
Saudade and fado
On foot (4 min)
7Largo do Salvador
Guided visit · 10 min
Local festivals and the “St. Anthony’s weddings”
On foot (3 min)
8Beco do Garcês
Guided visit · 10 min
The story of azulejos
On foot (5 min)
9Belvedere di Portas do Sol
Photo stop · 15 min
Views of the Tagus, tram 28, and São Vicente
On foot (2 min)
10Belvedere di Santa Luzia
Photo stop · 10 min
Another picture-postcard view
On foot (5 min)
11Cattedrale di Lisbona (Sé)
Guided visit · 15 min
Finish with stories of St. Anthony
For reference only: the route and times may change on the day.
Duration: 2 h 40 min
Shared group
Up to 6 people
Guide / driver speaks
Italian
What's included
Local guide in Italian
Nearly 3-hour walking tour of Alfama
Stories, curiosities, and tips from a true Lisbon local
Not included
Tip for the guide at the end of the tour (average €15–20 per person)
Food and drinks
Admission fees and transportation
Meeting point
Lisboa, Portugal
The exact meeting point is provided in the booking confirmation.
Important information
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
- People with reduced mobility
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes (there are uphill climbs)
- Water
- Cash for the tip
Not allowed
- Groups of more than 6 people, even if booked separately
Good to know
- Look for the blue umbrella with the yellow “Free Tour” sign
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early
- The tour runs rain or shine
- At the end, leave whatever tip you feel is right, in cash
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation until the tour start time: your booking fee will be refunded. If your plans change, cancel to free up your spot for another traveler.
Company's general termsShowHide
Tip-based free tour: the €1.50 paid at booking is a booking fee and does not include the guide’s compensation. At the end of the tour, each person gives the guide what they feel is fair, in cash and in euros only (the average is €15–20 per person). Maximum 6 people per booking: we don’t accept groups of more than 6, even if they book separately. Are you a larger group? For larger groups, we require advance payment of €12 per adult and €5 per child, or you can book a private tour. There are uphill climbs and stairs. Drinks, food, admission fees, and transportation are not included. Stops may vary depending on the guide, weather, or events in the city. Free cancellation until the tour start time.
Questions and answers
Where is the pick-up?
At the hotel, rental or address you give when booking. The company confirms the exact spot and time.
Can I bring children?
Yes. Count children in the number of people. For child seats or other needs, write to the company through the booking messages.
Can we stop wherever we like?
On a private service the vehicle is just for your group: agree stops with the driver, within the service's duration.
Can I cancel?
Free cancellation until the tour start time: your booking fee will be refunded. If your plans change, cancel to free up your spot for another traveler.
How do I pay?
Online, by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You get the confirmation by e-mail straight away.
What if I have more questions?
After booking, talk to the company through the booking messages. Before that, write to us at [email protected].
